The Tulane Green Wave are revealing more core members returning for the 2026 season, and it shows a retention of program recruits.
In today’s age of college football, there’s no real roster reveal that announces returners and turnover in one fell swoop; most is done via individual social media posts, if at all. The Tulane Green Wave saw a flurry of those announcements over December and January, but there were several players who didn’t say anything publicly. With no transfer portal entry during the new one-time window declared, it’s safe to assume that those players didn’t transfer elsewhere, but nothing’s a sure thing in the sport. However, the Green Wave, helped reveal some more key returners through their weekly offseason honors that highlight players who have shined academically and in the weight room.
Two of those players are ones who initially started their college careers at Tulane. As it gets harder and harder to keep talent in the college football landscape, the Green Wave's ability to develop and retain is noteworthy. Their “Scholar Waves of the Week” post included wide receiver Kellen Tasby, while their “Workout Waves of the Week” post included edge Josh Lewis.
Tasby initially began his career at Tulane as a quarterback but converted to wide receiver after his first season and spent time learning the role through 2025, including a few plays designed for him during the year. The 6-foot-6, 215-pound Tasby has size you can’t teach. If he’s able to continue developing at receiver, it also shows a pathway that the Green Wave are creating for position conversions. Tasby could’ve easily tried to leave and continued trying to play quarterback but elected to run it back with the Wave.
Lewis was one of former coach Jon Sumrall’s most coveted recruits ever, to the point that he made sure there was a spot for him in that recruiting class. The Dutchtown, La., native was a three-star prospect on 247 Sports and the No. 33 player in the state of Louisiana. Lewis also was a basketball player and competed in track and field, recording season-best throws of 48-6 in the shot put and 122-5 in the discus as a junior. Lewis initially chose Tulane over considerable Power Four offers, including Missouri, Houston, Cal, and Georgia Tech. Lewis saw time against Charlotte last season, where he recorded one tackle and 0.5 sacks.
He backed up starter Kam Hamilton and backup Jordan Norman, neither of whom will be back next season, giving Lewis an opportunity for elevated playing time. Both players also had their position coaches return in receivers coach Carter Sheridan and defensive line coach Landius Wilkerson – who are arguably as important to player’s decisions as the head coach.